Welcome To The Jingle

Darn tootin’…

ormally, our annual round-up of Christmas goodies in Greystones opens with a blah, blah, blahs about the importance of supporting your local shops.

But, hey, you know how the spiel goes, and you also know that even a little shift from Amazon or Dundrum can make a huge difference to a small Greystones business.

So, let’s just say that, from Charlesland to Blacklion, from Newcastle to Delgany, we are family. And family means being there for one another. Especially at de Christmas.

And there’s a great big smorgasbord to choose from when it comes to sorting out your Christmas List 2025, from all those fine shops, eateries and takeaways in a long-term and committed relationship with our streets to our many unique and hungry artists, plus all those artisans making the supersized and industrialised Plaza Christmas Market shine.

In truth, all you need to make Greystones’ Christmas is the above four links (with gift vouchers a win-win if you can’t quite decide), but we’re nonetheless going to compile as much festive fabulousness as we can find around here. Which is a long and laborious task but, hey, some eejit’s got to do it.

And let’s not forget, shopping online can be a very risky business – you order what you think is a whale and they sent you a manatee. And as for next day delivery, hey, shops around here offer same-second delivery. Just bring it up to the counter. Done. And their return policy takes a matter of minutes rather than a Krypton Factor week of printers and post office visits and online chatbots.

Which is why you should take a walk through the town before jumping down the black hole that is Amazon.

From the cheap and cheerful to the unique and damned expensive, there is something for pretty much everyone.

Vlad Bodarev

For something truly unique, Greystones is blessed with some incredible photographers, and the gift a framed print can make you actually look classy. You can choose something contemporary, from the town’s finest nature photographer, Phil McDarby, to the meticulous landmark shots of Vlad Bodarev, there’s something for every taste. And if money’s too tight to mention, there’s also the gentle giant that was Brian Keeley, the late snapper supreme’s immense back catalogue available for free here.

Staying on the photography front, Sheena Griffin can catch you and your family in the best light here, and our #1 roving snapper John McGowan can cover your big day here, whilst Greystones of old is celebrated by Anna O’Rourke and the late, great Jody Connaughton (the man’s Drummin Trees print proving particularly popular). Meanwhile, new kids on the block Niall Meehan and Marc Diamond have both unleashed 2026 calendars this year, both fetishising our tantalising and highly photogenic seafront. The perverts.

And swinging by ReLoved on Hillside Road is a win-win, given that they have designer goodies at charity shop prices, and your moolah goes to helping Vision Ireland’s work with the blind. Boom!

On the book front, we’re waiting to hear back from that fecker Fenella with the big recommendations this year at The Village Bookshop – so, we should have that in late February, early March for you...

For the kids, there’s the mighty Halfway Up The Stairs, of course, with their Books Of The Year 2025 revealed right about here. Trish and the gang have also put together a Writing For Children workshop for those who’d like to know more about the creative process and actually getting published. Kicking off at 6pm on January 28th, you can find out more here, and book here.

Local author John Kelly has hit Random Tips For Life available in Halfway too. If you’re looking for a little bit of local wisdom. And sure, if you’re down by Halfway, pop into Brew With A View for, well, a brew – but also to check out their handy little selection of local artisan goodies. Details here.

This year we welcomed the fancy-pants charity shop ReLoved to town too, designer goodies at Vincent de Paul prices. Catch Sandra and the gang on Hillside Road for a groovy one-off present.

Having caused near riots when introduced during their Dublin flea market days nine years ago, the Scéal gang down on the marina have now brought their much-loved Christmas pudding to Greystones. So we can find out what the fuss is all about. Mince pies and a groovy Scéal cookbook are also on the menu here.

And if you’ve got too much money and know someone who doesn’t understand how dough works, you can grab them a ticket for an Introduction To Bread workshop at Bread 41 on Eden Road, enlightenment coming at a mere €140 right here. Ah, so that’s the secret to making some serious dough.

When it comes to local books, the mother of them all is, of course, Gary Paine’s latest Pictorial History Of Greystones, the man taking three year’s to complete the 8th volume that he started some years hence with his late father, the towering Derek Paine. You can grab this one exclusively at Greystones Antiques beside the train station for a tidy €35. Which is pretty amazing value for three year’s work in one book.

And there’s always the Greystones Archaelogical & Historical Society’s wonderful journals – more info here. There’s also the updated for 2025 Wicklow Way guide to our many wonderful hikes, pulled together by Jacquetta Megarry and featuring clear, large-scale mapping for all us old folk. Details right here.

Shout out to local children’s author Marian Brennan as she continues the adventures of young Greystones inventor Finn O’Shea with The Christmas Cracker, whilst for arty-farty adults, Cathy Sweeney’s Breakdown and Lucy Sweeney Byrne’s Let’s Dance are two short story collections that have been getting some of the strongest reviews of recent years. The fact that they are Greystones mother and daughter – and therein lies the connection to GG – has feck all to do with it.

Sitting pretty in the Tesco Shopping Centre, Vicky Noble’s wooden toy titans Dlulukaloo, have had quite the year, with national press coverage for their toy rental scheme and bagging GG’s Top of The Shops 2024. Says Vicky, “If you have a little person (or two) in your family, DluluKaloo will help you with sustainable, eco-friendly and timeless wooden toys! Starting from the most beautiful handmade wooden rattles to those big all sorts of climbing frames, DluluKaloo is here to advise and suggest the best items suitable for your little ones.” Sold! Or, eh, Rented!

You could also get that hyperactive – or bone lazy – kid out the door with a voucher to the Squirrel’s Scramble Tree Adventure Park in Killruddery – details right about here.

Helping to get rid of some of that pent-up, post-Christmas funk, the bould Emeka has a 3-day Christmas football camp at Shoreline Charlesland, landing on December 29th to 31st, from 10am to 2pm. Details here.

And what kid doesn’t love a sleepover? Especially inside a wig-wam, thank you, m’am!? Young Ann Teehan has created a little bit of night magic for our youngster with Sleepy Tipi Parties, where a room can be transformed into the perfect prairie for the night, with each child getting their own tent, all circling that all important fun, games and gossip centre. Vouchers are, of course, available, so your kid’s next big night in is ready to really roll. You can find out more here.

And for the bone lazy – or hyperactive – teenager and beyond, there’s always the town’s plethora of groovy gyms and workout wonders.

There’s also the option of fine food, made at home, by your fine self. Ciara’s Kitchen can show you how, right here. And some of the finest Christmas cards and accessories over at Hairy Fruit Art.

And if you’re tired of seeing the same old miserable faces around here, a shot of botox from the SISU clinic at Meridian Point should help turn anyone’s frown upside down. Not sure they can do anything for the town’s Ozempic ladies and their drooping boobies though.

Or you could just help them achieve that perfect smile with a voucher from Lucey Dental right here.

There’s always the option to get that motor gleamin’, thanks to Blacklion’s Man + Machine car wash service, gift vouchers available right here. They do mutleys too.

And if you’re thinking of getting a dog this Christmas, goes without saying but, go rescue.

And given the fact that time has sped up by 300% in the last ten years, capturing some real photographs of your loved ones at Christmas is more important than ever. And the award-winning Sheena Griffin will have smiling wide with this Christmas portrait special.

And when it comes to local artists and artisans, many of the finer ones can be handily found under one roof – namely, the Boat Yard Gallery down at the harbour, Anna and the gang also part of that sprawling, weekend Plaza Christmas Market. And tell the grumpy fecknuts we said hi.

At Lorient, alongside their smogasbord of quirky gifts, right now you can get big discounts on Luxe French nautical style jumpers, Crossbody Italian leather bags, vintage rooster and hen decoration, tote bags, bookends, cushions, jewellery and beyond...

At Pretty Woman, alongside all their cozy scarves and hats, fleece ponchos and jackets, faux sheepskin-lined luxury slippers, jewellery, men’s fleece scarves and beanies, you can find just about everything the sassy hussy could possibly want to wear. Boom!

And who doesn’t love the great Escape, part of Greystones for 30 years in 2026? Yowsa!

And it’s always good to support those start-ups, such as Sasha’s NB Beauty salon over by Avoca, and just celebrating a wonderful year, Ana and Aartha Organics.

The option of getting out of that kitchen for Christmas day is always an option too, thanks to The Divine Foodie and Andrew Holmes Catering.

And Greystones Momma has made it easier to have indulgent treats without feeling the usual guilt afterwards, with her vegan treats at SuperValu now coming in selection boxes, boasting Momma’s Healthy Twix, Momma’s Healthy White Chocolate Twix, Momma’s Chocolate, Fruit & Nut Flapjack and Momma’s Healthy Mars. Plus, for de Christmas, healthy tarts agus tartlets, including Healthy Twix, Chocolate & Peanut Butter and Dubai Brownie. Bejiggers!

Back when GG had a life outside of writing this crap every single day, making mixes was a fine way to wile away a weekend – and we’ve got three 80min mixes of Christmas crackers for you right here, featuring everyone from Shane MacGowan and Wham to Nick Cave and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, with a full sleight load of gospel, blues and chart-toppers inbetween.

Covering the town in December, roaming from Greystones estate to estate, the Cecil Beare gang will be meeting each night at 7.20pm for a 7.30pm start, beginning on Monday 15th at Blacklion Veterinary Clinic for Applewood Heights and Oaklands (leader Jennifer McCarter on 0863836259); Tuesday 16th, it’s Fenton’s Fires for Bellevue Park and Heathervue (leader Billy Markham on 0866837169); Wednesday 17th, it’s Brady’s Home Care, for Mountainview Park, La Touche Park, Lower Rathdown Park, Mount Haven and New Road (contact Ismay Flynn on 0872389869); on Thursday 18th, it’s the entrance to Grattan Park (beside Donnybrook Fair), for Grattan Park and Kindlestown Park (leader Geoff Evans on 0866009341); on Monday 22nd, it’s Fenton Fires again, this time for Bellevue Road, Bellevue Park and Hillside (leader James Carson on 0863535969), and finally, on Tuesday 23rd, the meeting place is opposite Circle K, for Rathdown Park and Redford Park (leader Mark Lambert on 0879878879). Singers, non-singers, tin rattlers and instrumentalists all welcome. More details here.

And let’s not forget one of the big additions to the town in the recent years has been the opening of our much-needed and much-loved local theatre, The Whale, and you can show your support for this beautiful little venue by buying a friend a ticket to an upcoming show, or simply grab a Whale gift voucher. If you want to go big, there’s the Friend Of The Whale option, or that all-star mystery gig in May 2026. Sorted! There’s also the option to go Beyond The Pale.

And to help get that festive feelgood flowing, here’s our 2015 interview with Sister Gwen at Delgany’s 153-year-old life size crib, its 2023 return of sorts here, and Mrs Mooney et al revealing their Bestest Christmas EVER right here.

Oh, and did we mention that there’s two hours free parking on Saturdays down de town? Just in case you missed that one.

Even just a quick stroll up through the town will give you everything you might need, from glorious Vincent’s bargains, top of the range Christmas trees, top of the range dog makeovers, sleek new  winter outfits, unique antiques, hand-crafted jewellery, beauty-a-go-go, beautiful hair-a-yo-ho, fragrances a-go-go, Concepts–a-ho-ho-ho, more groovy gifts, getting fit, and all sorts of other Christmas goodies. 

And look out for the Flynnstones’ latest book, The Happy Pear’s Favourite Things Beginning With C, the follow-up to last year’s bestseller, The Happy Pear’s Favourite Things Beginning With B. Boom! Oh, and they have their infamous Wellington available for collection on the 23rd and 24th, plus their rather sumptuous hampers. 

Also keeping it local are candle stink makers Glow Bottle and LaLuna Candles, both delivering Christmas specials, whilst Be Kind Incense are hand-rolled and inspired by Wicklow’s great outdoor aromas.

Always good to have a one-stop Christmas shop, Outdoor living up at Glen Of The Downs stocking everything from Christmas trees and decorations to gifts galore. And, hey, there’s a sale on too, with up to 75% off. Details of their 2025 Santa madness right about here.

There are, of course, lots more options just outside town – such as Arboretum’s hugely popular Enchanted Christmas Garden – and you’re welcome to go explore. Once you’ve given your hometown friends and neighbours the once-over, people. If you don’t use it, we lose it.

And let’s not forget the RNLI’s annual Christmas cards – available in Nature’s Gold, or you can just donate right here. There’s also the Greystones Cancer Support cards too, available at their La Touche Place HQ.

Oh, and how about getting your loved one’s chimney swept and ready for those cold January and February nights? We have two strapping lads who will have you sorted for a soot-free winter. 

Haven’t got your Christmas tree yet? Plenty to choose from, as usual, with the O’Brien lad at Eden Gate’s Knockroe Farm, young Ciaran at Blacklion Stores and Fatjon at Man + Machine delivering the goods. If you don’t have the car.

If you’re looking for a different kind of Christmas gift, how about having trees planted in the Wicklow Uplands, complete with a certificate of ever-lasting love? ReWild Wicklow have the details right here.

There’s also the option of giving your house the present of a makeover. You can check in with Sandra at Select Interiors on Hillside Road, and benefit from years of experience in making homes that little bit funkier. And there’s also Clara at Oak & Olive Home, Laura and Sian at My Happy Space or Gillian at Canopy down in Wicklow Town.

And who can forget Mutley at this special time, especially given that they bring us Christmas every single day of the year. Grooming here, goodies here.

We’re listing just some of the specials below. You can check out our Christmas Gifts listing here, our Christmas Beauty listings here, our Christmas Kids listing here, and all our Christmas parties, fairs, events, goodies and beyond right here.

Suffice to say, from Charlesland to Blacklion, and all points in-between – and even a little beyond – you have neighbours who will be more than a little ecstatic to help you out this Christmas. Mainly because you’ll be helping them out this Christmas too.

Just as they have helped us out with those Christmas Lights every year.

Nice! This is very much an ever-evolving list of the town’s Christmas wish list – we’ll be updating daily. Unless we’re busy.

So, come back, y’all! Or just go check out the town – from Vincent’s to Fenton’s, you’ll find something for every loved one, for every pocket. Oh, and here’s some Christmas tunes for ya!